Welcome to Middlesbrough’s newest art space - in a location you might recognise.

Local artist Bobby Benjamin has just launched his first exhibition in a converted flat above the infamous Club Bongo International.

The exhibition will be the first in a series of “Felix the Gallery” events taking place in the new gallery.

Bobby, who co-founded Middlesbrough gallery House of Blah Blah, said: “The Bongo have been really positive in supporting this project.

“When I approached them with the idea of using their upstairs space as a gallery it was outside of what they were used to but they have been completely receptive.

“They have given me access to their facilities outside of their usual hours to do something different with the place.

“I think by supporting this project, which will provide new opportunities for artists to develop their practice, the Bongo are showing a real commitment to the community.”

Bobby Benjamin, who set up the gallery in the upstairs of the Bongo International on Bridge Street West

The launch exhibition features work from a range of artists, from experienced exhibitors to under-graduates, as well as a new collection of paintings by Bobby Benjamin himself, titled ‘Spaghetti Northern’.

It opened on Thursday, alongside a lounge bar, provided by the Bongo for the evening, where there was be performance art and music from house band, Crease.

The first exhibition presented by his new arts organization, Dovetail Joints, Bobby - who lives in Middlesbrough - is looking for the project to be a “re-occurring gallery”.

He continued: “The next show could be in 3 weeks or 6 months. I wanted a flexible space where, if people came to me with a good idea, I could help them exhibit, but also where I could continue to show my own work and develop my own curatorial practice.”

All viewings are by appointment only, and you can find out more on the Dovetail Joints Facebook page.

A selection of pieces on display in the new gallery which has opened upstairs in Bongo International